July 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Columbus, OH- It is well known that excess sugar consumption leads directly to weight gain. This explains the popularity of artificially sweetened “diet” drinks which do not contain any sugar. However, diet drinks make you fat as well.

At least, that’s the word from the authors of two new studies that were presented at a meeting in San Diego for the American Diabetes Association.

One study followed over 400 diet soda drinkers for 10 years and found that their waist sizes increased 70% more than non-consumers. Those who consumed two or more diet sodas per day increased their waist sizes five times more than those who avoided diet drinks entirely.

“They may be free of calories but not of consequences,” Dr. Helen Hazuda, professor of medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, said in a written statement.

“These results suggest that – amidst the national drive to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks – policies which would promote the consumption of DSDs (diet soft drinks) may have unintended deleterious effects.”

The other study revealed mice that were fed with food laced with artificial sweetener had higher blood sugar levels than mice eating normal food.

"Artificial sweeteners could have the effect of triggering appetite, but unlike regular sugars, they don't deliver something that will squelch the appetite," said Sharon Fowler, co-author of both studies.

So, what should we be drinking?

“Beverages such as soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks are all loaded with sugar and will contribute directly to weight gain,” said Jason Yun a certified personal trainer and youth fitness specialist and owner of Yun Fitness Bootcamps and Athletic Revolution in Columbus, Hilliard, and Reynoldsburg.

“These studies show that diet drinks are not the answer either. We recommend water or green tea.”

At Yun Fitness Bootcamps and Athletic Revolution here in Columbus, Yun says that all prospects, not just paying clients, receive a complete meal and beverage plan when they first come in for their 2-week trial.

“We do what we can to help the community. We realize that our training programs are not for everyone,” says Yun. “But we want to give people something valuable just for taking the time to come in and learn about their health. Our adult program is intense but that's what is reguired for the body to change. Our youth program Athletic Revolution is designed to turn kids into Champions weather they play a sport or not and nutrition is a huge role in that.”